Machine for preparing stiffening materials.



W. WEBSTER. MACHINE FOB PREPARING STIFFEN'IN'G MATERIAL nrmoulox HLBD un. 24. 1902.

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Patented July 6, 1909.

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Patented July 6, 1909. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. WEBSTER.

@will Illini MACHINE FOR PBEPARIN G STIFFEING MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED APB.. 24. 1902.

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MAGHINE FOR PRBPARING STIFFENING MATERIALS. APPLIUATION FILED APP.. 24, 1902.

926,790. Patented July 6, 1909.

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YUNITED STATESHIAENT OFFIOE.

WILLIAM WEBSTER, OF LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOE, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TI-IE WARREN FEATHERBONE (.fOMPANY OF MICHIGAN, OF THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

MACHINE FOR PRPARING STIFFENING MATERIALS'.

To all whom it 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, VLLLIAM IVEBSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Lond on, in the county el' Middlesex, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Preparing Sti'liening Materials, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to improved means lor assembling 'libers such as the liber and quill or enamel portion of feathers into cords. Heretolore, this has been accomplished by feeding the fibers by hand to a winding machine. This entails a great amount of labor and reqi'rires some skill on the part of the operator, to produce a perfectly even and satisfactory cord.

The obect olE this invention is to provide a machine which shall automatically feed the 'fibers into suitable winding machine which delivers the same properly wou-nd or assembled into a cord.

Further objects ol the invention are to pirovide an efficient feeding` device and an eliicient automatic stop for such a machine, which shall act whenever thev machine b'ecomes out ol order or the supply of :fibers tails, or the winding thread breaks, and to provide an improved arrangement of gears for the actuation of such a machine.

Further objects and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

he` invention is clearly det-"ined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accom'- panying drawing, forming a part of this specili cation, in which Figure l is a plan view of' a structure em bodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. I. Fig. 3 is a transverse detail sectional elevation view taken on lines of Figs. l and 2. Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal sectional elevation viev;T oi the feed mechanism for the Tiber, taken on a line corresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged' detail trans- Specilcation of Letters Patent.

Application led April 24, 1902.

Patented July e, 1909.

Serial No. 104,573.

verse sectional elevation view of the feed mechanism taken' on line 5 5` of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a transverse detail sectional view of the delivery rolls for taking the cord from the machine, taken on a line corresponding to line 6 6` of Fig. 1, showing details of construction. Fig.` 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 7 7 ol Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the tight and loose pulleys E E. F ig. 8 is an enlarged detail elevation view ol the packer linger for the fiber `feeding device. Fig. 9 is detail transverse sectionall view taken on a line corresponding to line 9 9 oi Fig. 2 showing details of the automatic stop mechanism. Fig. l() is an enlarged detail longitudinal` view of the automatic stop mecl'ranism taken on a line corresponding to line 10-10 oi Q.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of' the little arrows at the ends ol" the section lines, and similar letters ol reference reifer to similar' parts throi'rghout the several views.

Referring to' the lettered parts oli' the drawing, A is the base supporting the remaining parts of the machine, which, in thislinstance, is shaped somewhat like the letter' L, having a main longitudinal portion and a' lateral portion On the lateral portion is a bracket A which serves as a support lor the' shaft Il, which carries the driving mechanism for the machine consisting ol a' tight and a loose` pulley, E E. The driving or tight pulley E is supported on a sleeve which is rotatably mounted on the end ol the stub shaft L and the loose pulley E is supported on the sleevelike4 hub of the pulley E and is retained in position. by tight-'fitting collar E. stub shaft L is supported in the bracket A by a suitable' set screw e.

On the main portionol the frame are brachets I I and B4 which carry the essential parts ol the machine. On the bracket I is supported a hopper J which is made substantially vshaped at the bottom with parallel upwardly-extending walls. A vertical slot is cut in the walls oi this hopper J to receive the staple-like holder' J. The holder J embraces the' 'fibers M in the hopper and forces them toward the bottomA thereof, retaining them parallel and under a slight pressure to The insure their proper delivery. At the delivery end of the hopper, and projecting into the same slightly, are feed rolls t' t. These feed rolls are adapted to engage some of the lower fibers at their front ends and carry them toward the winder. The feed rolls i i are geared together and have engaging surfaces projecting above the gears, see Figs. 2, 3, and -the roll t driving the roll t, see Fig. 5.

The roll t' is supported on a shaft g having a bevel gear g on its lower end. This gear g meshes with gear t on the shaft H which is driven from the opposite end of the machine.

The roll t" is carried on an adjustable block j, held normally toward the roll i by a spring f-which is preferably a coiled spring. The tension of the spring is adjusted by means of a thumb screw f, so that the rolls are held into yielding contact with each other.

A packer or feed linger n is arranged through a vertical slot in the side of the hopper J. An arm n is pivoted at t on a suitable boss on the bracket i. The linger n is pivoted on the arm n, and rests against the stop m thereon. The finger a is held yieldingly against the stop by a spring rit-see Fig. 8.

Connected to the arm a is a pitman 0 which is connected by a suitable wrist pin to the disk o on the end ofthe shaft H, so that with every rotation of the shaft H, a quantity of the fibers is fed down between the feed rolls i t, and such quantity will be carried forward.

A funnel-like feed or delivery trough K is arranged to the rear of the feed rolls t t and the fibers are delivered rearwardly through the same in sufficient quantity to form a cord of the desired size.

The winding mechanism for winding the fibers with thread consists in part of a fixed tubular spindle D which carries the spool o. The spool e is mounted on the cones e t carried by the spindle. The cone e is adjustably secured to the spindle by means of a set screw. The cone e is yieldingly supported by the spring 12 (see Figs. 1 and 2). By adjusting this cone v the running frietion on the spool is adjusted thereby adjusting the tension on the winding thread.

A guide is provided for the thread, consisting of a tubular winding arm F supported on the revolving disk C. This arm extends forwardly past the spool to the proper point for delivering the thread onto the strand oll fibers. The end of the arm is notched to retain the thread thereon. ldfithin this tube F is a small plunger F held normally tou/'ard the rear by a coiled spring c. 0n this plunger is the hook c which projects through a longitudinal slot in the arm. engages this hook in passing over the guide to the strand of fibers. thread is sufficient to draw the plunger normally forward to about the position indi- The thread u j The tension on this 5 j cated in Figs. l and 10. When the thread fu; j for any reason slackens or becomes broken, this plunger F is thrown backward by the force of the spring e and projects out from j the end of the tube F beyond the face of the j disk C, and actuates the lever G. The lever G is connected to a belt shipper. Vilith the l parts arranged as described, when the spool is emptied, or the thread broken, or the supply of fibers fails, the machine is thrown out of gear automatically.

The machine is driven from the pulley E at the side of which is a loose pulley E. The power is delivered by a belt P. A shipper arm r is pivoted to a suitable bracket on the base A. The arm 1^ has a downwardly extending arm r. A spring s is provided for actuating the belt shipper when it is released. When the machine is in operation the arm r is engaged by the latch l on the rock shaft G. On the rock shaft G is an arm G, which extends upwardly into proximity with the rear face of the disk C. When the plunger F projects beyond the rear .face of the disk, it strikes this lever G which trips the latch Z and permits the spring s to ship the belt to the loose pulley, thus stopping the machine. Stops p and p are provided for the arm r. Suitable stops not here illustrated are provided for the roekshaft G.

The pulley E is fiat faced, and is provided with a spiral thread or rib a. This thread engages and drives the delivery roll a which, cooperating with its companion roll c, delivers the cord from the machine.

On the rear end of the shaft'H is a gear wheel H which is also driven by the spiral thread or rib on the pulley E. Thus connected, the feed rolls t i and the delivery rolls c c are driven at the same rate of speed. The pulley E is driven by the belt l).

The delivery rolls a c are supported on the bracket B, the roll c being yieldingly supported on a block l) and held yieldingly in position by the coiled spring t. A thumb screw t is provided for adjusting the tension of the spring.

A bracket B is supported on the bracket B by a screw c which permits it being swung and adjusted back and forth. The set screw d carried in a suitable projection on the bracket B is provided for adjusting this bracket.

The spindle D is held in this bracket B, by means of a suitable set screw. The sleeve D is revolubly supported on this tube and the friction pulley U is suitably secured to the sleeve D, and is driven by contacting with the face of the pulley E.

j On the front end of the sleeve D is the disk C which carries the arm F, along which the winding thread is guided and by means of which it is delivered onto the strand of fiber M.

i. Having thus described the various parts of my improved machine, I will now briefly indicate their operation. it, spool o oi' the thread is placed on the s )indle and a quantity ol' iibers irl, arranged parallel with each other, are placed in the hopper J, and the holder J is placed over the same to carry them downward to the bottom oi' the hopper. rlhe machine is then set in motion. llhe arm n begins .to oscillate up and down, and the linger n engages a small deiinite quantity oi' iibers and Yl'orces them down to the bottom olf the hopper J where they are engaged by the 'l'eed rolls t fi and carried into the trough K, which is positioned to deliver them into the tubular spindle. it this point, the wrapping thread a is wrapped onto the same by the winder and the strand is drawn on through the tubular spindle to the rear end ol' the machine by the delivery rolls a a. rlhis operation continues as long as there is a supply oi iibcrs and the thread a remains intact. Should the thread u become broken, the plunger' Il" will be thrown to the rear and will actuate the lever G which will release the belt shipper and stop the machine. rllhe same thing occurs ii' the thread u becomes slack i'rom any reason, and the same thing will occur il' the supply oi' fibers iails, so that the machine is automatically stopped when the supply oi' either iibers or thread is eX- hausted or an accident to the liber feeding mechanism occurs.

I have shown a simple arrangement for driving. It is what I consider to possess merit over any other, but I desire to remarlf; that a variety ci' connections could be made for driving the different parts, what I have shown being a very simple connection for the various parte.

In the Winder, I have shown, the spool is relatively stationary the thread being taken ol'i from the saine, which is the most perfect l'orm ol' winder, but I am aware that there are other means by which the spools might revolve without changes in the structure; but

I would not be understood as restricting my claims to the particular 'loi-m oi' Winder. I wish it understood that I desire to claim the saine `both broadly and specifically.

liaving thus described my invention, what I claim new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is-

l. In a machine 'for automatically `feeding and winding iibers into strands, the combie nation ol a suitable base; a 'leed mechanism consisting oi a hopper' J having a V-shaped bottom, a staple-like holder J adapted to embrace the iibors and carry thorn down in the hopper, a pair oi leed rolls i t arranged below said hopper toward the `front thereoll adapted to engage the bottom 'libers therein, means for adjusting said rolls, and an arm n carrying a yielding iinger n at its inner end, adapted to engage the 'liber in said hopper, connections lor oscillating said arm whereby a predetermined quantity ol' iiber is den liver-ed to said feed rolls and a trough K arranged to receive the liber 'from said :feed rolls; a winding mechanism consisting oi a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the iiber `lrom said trough K and having a thread spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D, and a tubular winding arm F carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said liber as it is delivered from said trough K; a plunger it" within said whirling arm having a projecting hooi; c for engaging the thread, a tension spring Ylor said plunger', a belt shipper, a spring Yl'or actuating the same, a catch l'or retaining the said belt shipper' in its driving position, a lever adapted to release said catch arranged to be actuated by said plunger when the same is released by said thread, and a pair ol' delivery rolls a a, all coacting Vfor the purpose specified.

In a machine for automatically feeding and winding iibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base, a iced mechanism consisting of a hopperI J having a V-shaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls t' t arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom tibers therein, an arm n carrying a yielding linger n at its inner end adapted to engage the 'liber in said hopper, connections for oscillating said arm whereby a predetermined quantity of 'fiber is delivered to said feed rolls and a trough II arranged to receive the liber from said feed rolls; a windingl mechanism consisting of a tubular spindle I) adapted to receive the fiber from said trough K and having a thro ad spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D and a tubular winding arm F carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said liber as it is delivered from said trough K; a plunger-Ii" within said winding arm having a proj octing hook e for engaging the thread, a tension spring Vfor said plunger, a belt shipper, a spring for actuating the same, a catch for retaining the said belt shipper in its driving position, a lever adapted to release said catch arranged to be actuated by said plunger when the same is released by said thread and a pair of delivery rolls a o, all coacting as dcscribed and for the purpose sjieciiicd.

3. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding iibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base g a feeding mechanism consisting oi a hopper' J having a V- shapod bottom, a pair of feed rolls i t arranged beiow said hopper toward the iront thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein, an arm n carrying a yielding ringer a at its inner end adapted to engage the 'liber in said hopper, connections lor oscillating said arm whereby a predetermined quantity of fiber is delivered to said leed rolls and a trough K arranged to receive the 'liber from said feed rolls a Winding mechanism eonsist ing of a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the fiber from said ti'ough K and having a thread spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D and a tubular winding arm F carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said fiber as it is delivered from said trough K; a plunger F Within said Winding arm having a projecting hook e for engaging the thread, a tension spring for said plunger', a belt shipper, a spring for actuating the same, a catch for retaining the said belt shipper in its driving position and a lever adapted to release said catch arranged to be actuated by said plunger when the same is released by said thread, all coacting substantiallyT as described and for the purpose specified.

4. In a machine for automatically feeding and Winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper J having a V-shaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls t' fi arranged beloW said hopper toward the front thereof, adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein, an arm n carrying a yielding finger n at its inner end adapted to engage the fibers in said hopper, connections for oscillating said arm, whereby a predetermined quantity of fiber is delivered to said feed rolls and a trough K arranged to receive the fiber from said feed rolls; a Winding mechanism consisting of a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the fiber from said trough and having a thread spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D and a Winding arm carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said fiber as it is delivered from said trough K, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

5. in a machine for automatically feeding and Winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper J having a tl-shaped bottom, a staple-like holder J adapted to embrace the fibers and carry them down in the hopper, a pair of feed rolls i i arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein and a trough K arranged to receive the fiber from said feed rolls g a Winding mechanism consisting of a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the fiber from said trough K and having a thread spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D and a tubular Winding arm F carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said Yliber as it is delivered from said trough K; a plunger F Within said Winding arm having a projecting hook e for engaging the thread, a tension spring for said plunger, a belt shipper, a spring for actuating the same, a catch for retaining the said belt shipper in its driving position, a leverl adapted to release said catch arranged to be actuated by said plunger when the same is released by said thread and a pair of delivery rolls ay a, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

6. In a machine for automatically feeding and Winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base g a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper J having a V-shaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls i i arranged beloW said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein and a trough K arranged to receive the fiber from said feed rolls; a Winding mechanism consisting of a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the fiber from said trough K and having a thread spool revolubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said spindle D and a tubular Winding arm F carried on said sleeve adapted to deliver thread to said fiber as it is delivered from said trough K g a plunger F Within said Winding arm having a projecting hook c for engaging the thread, a tension spring for said plunger, a belt shipper, a spring for actuating the same, a catch for retaining the said belt shipper in its driving position and a lever adapted to release said catch arranged to be actuated by said plunger when the same is released by said thread, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpese specified.

7. In a machine for automatically feeding and Winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper J having a ii-shaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls i i arranged beloW said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein and a trough K arranged to receive the fiber from said feed rolls; and a Winding mechanism consisting of a tubular spindle D adapted to receive the fiber from said trough K and having a thread spool revelubly supported thereon, a sleeve D adapted to revolve on said s indle D and a Winding arm carried on said s eeve adapted to deliver thread to said fiber as it is delivered from said trough K, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

8. In a machine for automatically feeding and Winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper J having a V-shaped bottom, a staple-lile holder J adapted to embrace the fibers and carry them down in the hopper, a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein, an arm n carrying a yielding finger n at its inner end adapted to engage the fibers in said hopper and deliver them to the feed rolls and a funnel-like trough adapted to receive said bers from said rolls 3 and a Winding mechanism adapted to wind said fibers as they are delivered from said trough, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopperl J having a V-sliaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein, an arm n carrying a yielding finger a at its inner end adapted to engage the fibers in said hopper and deliver them to the feed rolls and a funnel-like trough adapted to receive said fibers from said rolls; and a winding mechanism adapted to wind said fibers as they are delivered from said trough, all coacting for the purpose specified.

10. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper having a V-shaped bottom, a staple-like holder ada ted to embrace the fibers and carry them own in the hopper, a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof, adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein. and an arm n carrying a yielding hnger n at its inner end adapted to engage the fibers in said hopper and deliver them to the feed rolls; and a winding mechanism adapted to wind said fibers as they are delivered by said feed rolls, all coacting for the purpose specified.

11. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding fibers into strands, the combination. of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting` of a hopper having a V-shaped bottom, a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof, adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein and an arm n carrying a yielding finger n/ at its inner end adapted to engage the fibers in said hopper' and deliver them to the feed rolls; and a winding mechanism adapted to wind said fibers as they are delivered by said feed rolls, all coacting for the purpose specified.

12. In a machine for automatically feeding and wiiiiding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting` of a hopper having a V-shaped bottom, a staple-like holder adapted to embrace the fibers and carry them down in the hopper, a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged below said hopper toward the front thereof, adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein and a funnellike trough adapted to receive said fibers from said rolls; and a winding mechanism adapted to wind said fibers as they are delivered from said trough, coacting for the purpose specified.

13. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feed mechanism consisting of a hopper having a V-shaped bottom, a staple-like holder adapted to embrace the fibers and carry them down in the hopper, and a pair of feed rolls held yieldingly toward each other arranged. below said hopper toward the front thereof, adapted to engage the bottom fibers therein; and a winding mechanism adapted to Wind said fibers as they are delivered by said feed rolls, coacting for the purpose specified.

14. In a machine for automatically feeding andwinding fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feeding device for the fiber consisting of a hopper and a pair of feed rolls adapted to engage the fibers at the bottom of said hopper; a winding mechanism; a plunger controlled by the winding mechanism; a belt shipper mechanism, and a catch for the belt shipper mechanism in position to be released by said plunger, all coacting for the purpose specified.

15. In a machine for automatically feeding and winding stiff fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feeding device for the ber, consisting of a V-shaped hopper and a pair of feed rolls provided with reduced portions at their upper edge, said reduced portions coacting to form afiber receiving notch whereby the fibers in the bottom of the hopper are engaged andfedforward as the rolls revolve, and a trough into which said fibers are fed by said feed-rolls, said trough having a mouth adapted to hold said fibers in an assembled condition; and a winding mechanism arranged to wind said fibers as they are delivered from the mouth of said trough, into a continuous strand; and a pair of delivery rolls arranged at the rear of said winding mechanism.

16. In machine for automatically feeding and winding stiff fibers into strands, the combination of a suitable base; a feeding device foi' the fiber, consisting of a V-shaped hopper and a pair of feed rolls provided with reduced portions at their upper edge, said reduced portions coacting to form a fiber receiving` notch whereby the fibers in the bottom of the hopper are engaged and fed forward as the rolls revolve, and a trough into which said fibers are fed by said feed-rolls, said trough having a mouth adapted to hold said fibers in an assembled condition; and a winding mechanism arranged to wind said fibers as they are delivered from the mouth of said trough, into a continuous strand.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Vhand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM WEBSTER. 

